U.S. patent application number 17/077540 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for snap button fastener providing electrical connection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Intel Corporation. Invention is credited to Hans-Joachim Barth, Bastiaan Elshof, Jan Proschwitz.
Application Number | 20210044065 17/077540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005164528 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210044065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barth; Hans-Joachim ; et
al. |
February 11, 2021 |
SNAP BUTTON FASTENER PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
Abstract
Embodiments are generally directed to a snap button fastener
providing electrical connection. An embodiment of a fastener
includes a first mechanical part, the first mechanical part
including at least a stud portion, the first mechanical part
including a first electrical connector; a second mechanical part,
the second mechanical part including at least a socket portion with
a spring element and the socket portion, the second mechanical part
including a second electrical connector. The stud portion of the
first mechanical part and the socket portion of second mechanical
part, if separated, are to interlock upon the application of a
first force towards each other, and, if interlocked, to separate
upon the application of a second force away from each other. The
first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are
to be electrically connected when the first mechanical part and the
mechanical part are interlocked, and first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector are to be disconnected when the
first mechanical part and second mechanical part are separated.
Inventors: |
Barth; Hans-Joachim;
(Munich, DE) ; Elshof; Bastiaan; (Regensburg,
DE) ; Proschwitz; Jan; (Riesa, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intel Corporation |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005164528 |
Appl. No.: |
17/077540 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16259640 |
Jan 28, 2019 |
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17077540 |
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15487225 |
Apr 13, 2017 |
10193288 |
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16259640 |
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14578187 |
Dec 19, 2014 |
9627804 |
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15487225 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 33/00 20130101;
H01R 13/6277 20130101; A44B 17/0064 20130101; H01R 13/6273
20130101; H01R 13/627 20130101; A44B 17/0023 20130101; A41D 1/005
20130101; H01R 4/64 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 33/00 20060101
H01R033/00; A44B 17/00 20060101 A44B017/00; A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; H01R 13/627 20060101 H01R013/627; H01R 4/64 20060101
H01R004/64 |
Claims
1. A wearable article of clothing comprising: fabric; wires
integrated with the fabric, the wires to transmit sensor signals; a
mechanical receptacle carried by the wearable article of clothing,
the mechanical receptacle defining a cavity; a first plurality of
electrical conductors accessible in the cavity of the mechanical
receptacle, the first plurality of electrical conductors in circuit
with the wires; and an electronic device including: a battery;
circuitry; a wireless transceiver; and a second plurality of
electrical conductors, at least a portion of the electronic device
to be inserted into the cavity of the mechanical receptacle to
place the second plurality of electrical conductors in contact with
corresponding ones of the first plurality of electrical conductors
to create an electrical circuit with at least one of the wires and
with the circuitry.
2. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the wires
are conductive fibers.
3. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the first plurality of electrical conductors is a pin.
4. The wearable article of claim of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the second plurality of electrical conductors is a pin.
5. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the article
of clothing is a jacket.
6. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the fabric
is denim.
7. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the fabric
is cotton.
8. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, further including
mechanical connectors carried by the fabric that do not have
electrical conductors.
9. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, further including
an antenna in circuit with the wireless transceiver.
10. The wearable article of clothing of claim 9, wherein the
wireless transceiver is to communicate with a mobile device via the
antenna.
11. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the
mechanical receptacle extends further from the wearable article of
clothing than the first plurality of electrical conductors.
12. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first
plurality of electrical conductors are insulated from the
mechanical receptacle.
13. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the
mechanical receptacle includes plastic.
14. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the
mechanical receptacle has a circular cross-section.
15. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the
electronic device includes an electronic device housing.
16. The wearable article of clothing of claim 15, wherein the
battery, the circuitry, the wireless circuitry, and the second
plurality of electrical conductors are carried by the housing
17. The wearable article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the
circuitry is to detect an electrical connection between at least
one of the first plurality of electrical conductors and at least
one of the second plurality of electrical conductors.
18. The wearable article of clothing of claim 17, wherein the
circuitry is to, in response to detecting the electrical
connection, wake the electronic device from a low power state.
19. The wearable article of clothing of claim 18, wherein the
circuitry is to detect a loss of the electrical connection.
20. The wearable article of clothing of claim 19, wherein the
circuitry is to, in response to detecting the loss of the
electrical connection, place the electronic device in the lower
power state.
21. A wearable article of clothing comprising: fabric; wires
integrated with the fabric, the wires to transmit sensor signals; a
mechanical receptacle carried by the wearable article of clothing,
the mechanical receptacle defining a cavity; a first plurality of
electrical conductors accessible in the cavity of the mechanical
receptacle, the first plurality of electrical conductors in circuit
with the wires; and an electronic device including: a battery;
circuitry; a wireless transceiver; and a second plurality of
electrical conductors, at least a portion of the electronic device
insertable into the cavity of the mechanical receptacle to place
the second plurality of electrical conductors in contact with
corresponding ones of the first plurality of electrical conductors
to form an electrical circuit including at least one of the wires
and the circuitry.
22. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the wires
are conductive fibers.
23. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the
article of clothing is a jacket.
24. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the
fabric is denim.
25. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, further including
an antenna in circuit with the wireless transceiver.
26. The wearable article of clothing of claim 25, wherein the
wireless transceiver is to communicate with a mobile device via the
antenna.
27. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the
mechanical receptacle extends further from the wearable article of
clothing than the first plurality of electrical conductors.
28. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the first
plurality of electrical conductors are insulated from the
mechanical receptacle.
29. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the
mechanical receptacle includes plastic.
30. The wearable article of clothing of claim 21, wherein the
mechanical receptacle has a circular cross-section.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. application
Ser. No. 16/259,640, titled "Snap Button Fastener Providing
Electrical Connection," filed Jan. 28, 2019, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/487,225 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,193,288), titled "Snap Button Fastener Providing Electrical
Connection," filed Apr. 13, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/578,187 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,627,804),
titled "Snap Button Fastener Providing Electrical Connection,"
filed Dec. 19, 2014. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/259,640; U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/487,225; and U.S. application Ser. No.
14/578,187 are incorporated herein by this reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to the field
of electrical devices and, more particularly, to a snap button
fastener providing electrical connection.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Manufacturers are increasingly designing and marketing
wearable electronics, in which electronic devices are contained
within or operate in conjunction with wearable items, where the
wearable items may include items of clothing.
[0004] In some cases, the electronics are embedded within the
wearable item, and thus may require a power source, processing
ability, and sensing operation that is integrated within the
wearable item.
[0005] In the use and operation of wearable electronics, there may
be instances in which the electronics are susceptible to damage.
For instance, the normal care of clothing may be damaging to
embedded electronics. In a particular example, the washing or other
cleaning of clothing items may damage or destroy embedded
electronics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments described here are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
similar elements.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a snap button fastener;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration of components of a snap button
fastener;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an illustration of components of a snap button
providing an electrical connection according to an embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of components of a snap button
providing an electrical connection according to an embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate certain use cases of the snap
buttons with electrical connectors in wearable electronics
according to an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an apparatus including
electrical components that are embedded within fabric according to
an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an article including electrical
components that are embedded within fabric according to an
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a flowchart to illustrate certain operations of an
electronic device that includes connection with a snap button
according to an embodiment; and
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a system including connections utilizing
snap buttons fasteners providing electrical connections according
to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments described herein are generally directed to a
snap button fastener providing electrical connection.
[0017] For the purposes of this description:
[0018] "Snap button" refers to a mechanical fastener including a
first mechanical part including a stud portion and a second
mechanical part including a socket portion, the first mechanical
part and second mechanical part being constructed to connect
("snap") together with the application of a certain force pushing
the first and second mechanical parts together, and separate upon
the application of a certain force pulling the first and second
mechanical parts away from each other. The first mechanical part
and the second mechanical part may be in the form of removably
interlocking disks, but may have other shapes as well. A snap
button may also be referred to as a snap fastener, a snap, or other
terms.
[0019] "Wearable electronics" means an electronic device that is
integrated at least in part into an item that may be worn by a
user. Wearable electronics may include electronic devices that
operate independently as well as electronic devices that operate in
conjunction with a second electronic device, such as a mobile
device.
[0020] "Mobile device" means a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet
computer, handheld computer, mobile Internet device, or other
mobile apparatus that includes processing ability and communication
ability.
[0021] Wearable electronics may include one or more electronic
elements that are embedded in a wearable item such as an item of
clothing. In one example, certain electronics may be embedded in a
jacket or other similar item.
[0022] However, the use and care of a wearable item may damage or
destroy embedded electronics. For example, if the item requires
washing or other cleaning, the electronics may be damaged in the
washing or cleaning process. Further, the one or more portions of
the electronics may need to be removed for recharging, replacement,
repair, or other operation. However, the removal and replacement of
electronics may be impractical or inconvenient for a user.
[0023] In some embodiments, a snap button fastener providing an
electrical connection is provided. In some embodiments, the snap
button includes a first mechanical part having a first electrical
connector and a second mechanical device having a second electrical
connector. In some embodiments, upon the first mechanical part
being interlocked with the second mechanical part, the first
electrical connector is electrically connected with the second
electrical connector, and upon the first mechanical part being
separated from the second mechanical part, the first electrical
connector is disconnected from the second electrical connector. In
some embodiments, the electrical connector is at least in part
within the mechanical part, and in some embodiments the electrical
connector and mechanical part are a single part.
[0024] In some embodiments, a wearable electronics item includes
one or more snap button fasteners providing electrical connections
to allow a user of the wearable electronics to easily and naturally
connect and disconnect one or more elements of the wearable
electronics. In some embodiments, the one or more elements may also
be removed from a first wearable item and connected to a different
wearable item, with the snap buttons allowing a user to easily
transfer electronics between garments.
[0025] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a snap button fastener. There
are a wide variety of different snap buttons available for
conventional garments. A typical example is illustrated in FIG. 1,
where the snap button fastener includes a first mechanical part 100
of the snap button, which may be referred as the male part, in a
first portion 105 of a wearable element (such as in a first portion
of fabric, leather, or other material) and a second mechanical part
150 of the snap button, which may be referred to as the female
part, in a second portion 155 of the wearable element (such as in a
first portion of fabric or other material).
[0026] The first mechanical part 100 includes a stud portion and
the second mechanical part 150 includes a socket portion including
a spring element, the spring element being an s-spring (providing a
parallel spring element in the socket), a ring spring (split ring
to provide a spring function), or other physical feature providing
a spring force to engage the stud portion and interlock the
portions of the snap button together after sufficient force has
been applied to allow the stud portion to be inserted in the socket
portion, thus snapping the first mechanical part and the second
mechanical part together. The first mechanical part 100 and the
second mechanical part may be separated by providing a sufficient
opposite force to overcome the force of the spring element of the
second mechanical part. However, this is a particular example of a
snap button, and other designs of snap buttons may include
variations in structure and use.
[0027] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 100 and the
second mechanical part 150 further provide an electrical
connection, wherein the snapping of the first mechanical part 100
into the second mechanical part 150 operates to make the electrical
connection (create a closed connection), and separation of the
first mechanical part and the second mechanical part operates to
break the electrical connection (create an open connection).
[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of components of a snap button
fastener. In conventional use, the snap button may be utilized to
hold two portions of fabric or other material together using a
mechanical or other force when the two parts of the snap button are
mated together and to allow separation of the two portions of
fabric or other material when the two parts of the snap button are
separated.
[0029] As illustrated in the cross-section provided in FIG. 2, a
snap button 200 may include a first mechanical part (male part) 202
to be snapped into a second mechanical part (female part) 250. The
first mechanical part 202 may be installed in a first portion of
fabric or other material 205. The first mechanical part 202 and
second mechanical part 250 are commonly circular along an axis
perpendicular to the fabric, thus including a disc shape, but this
is not required in all implementations.
[0030] In the illustrated example, the first mechanical part 202 of
the snap button 200 may include multiple sub-parts that are
installed together to form the first mechanical part, such as, for
example, a first sub-part 210 that forms a surface on one side of
the fabric 205 and extends through a hole in the fabric 205 and a
second sub-part 215 that encloses the portion of the first sub-part
210 that extends through the fabric and forms the stud shape of the
first mechanical part 202. As can be seen from the cross-section of
the snap button 200, the second sub-part 215 has at least a portion
with an angle such that the plug shape is larger further away from
the fabric that the plug shape is nearer to the fabric.
[0031] In the illustrated example, the second mechanical part 250
of the snap button 200 may include multiple sub-parts that are
installed together to form the second mechanical part, such as, for
example, a first sub-part 260 that forms a surface on one side of
the fabric 255 and extends through a hole in the fabric 255 and
clamps at least part of a second sub-part 265 that forms the socket
shape of the first second mechanical part 250. At least a part of
the second sub-part 265 provides a spring element to be displaced
when the stud shape of the first mechanical part 202 is inserted in
the socket portion of the second mechanical part and to provide
mechanical force to hold the first and second mechanical parts
together under a sufficient force along the axis is applied to
separate the first and second mechanical part. As can be seen from
the cross-section of the snap button 200, the second sub-part 265
has at least a portion with an angle such that the socket shape is
smaller further away from the fabric than the receptacle shape is
near to the fabric in order to hold the first mechanical part 202
in place when snapped together.
[0032] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 202 and the
second mechanical part 250 further provide an electrical
connection, wherein the snapping of the first mechanical part 202
into the second mechanical part 250 operates to make the electrical
connection, and separation of the first mechanical part and the
second mechanical part operates to break the electrical connection.
In some embodiments, the spring element of the snap button 200
serves to maintain the electrical connection until the mechanical
parts of the snap button are separated.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an illustration of components of a snap button
providing an electrical connection according to an embodiment. As
illustrated in the cross-section of an apparatus 300 in FIG. 3, a
snap button may include a first mechanical part (male part) 302 to
be snapped into a second mechanical part (female part) 350 to
removably interlock the first and second mechanical parts. The
first mechanical part 302 may be installed in a first portion of
fabric or other material 305. The first mechanical part 302 and
second mechanical part 350 may be circular in shape along an axis
perpendicular to the fabric, but this is not required in all
implementations.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 302 of the
snap button fastener includes multiple sub-parts are that installed
together to form the first mechanical part 302, such as, for
example, a first sub-part 310 that forms a surface on one side of
the fabric 305 and extends through a hole in the fabric 305 and a
second sub-part 315 that encloses the portion of the first sub-part
310 that extends through the fabric and forms the stud shape of the
first mechanical part 302. As can be seen from the cross-section of
the apparatus, the second sub-part 315 has at least a portion with
an angle such that the plug shape is larger further away from the
fabric that the plug shape is near to the fabric.
[0035] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 302 further
includes an element to provide an electrical connection with the
second mechanical part 350. In some embodiments, the first
mechanical part 302 includes a first electrical connector 330 at
least in part within the stud portion of the part. In some
embodiments, the first electrical connector is electrically
connected to a wire for power distribution, distribution of
electrical signals for data transfer, or both, wherein the wire may
be an insulated wire including an electrical conductor 325 to carry
power or a signal, and electrical insulation 320 to insulate the
electrical conductor 325. In an implementation, a first electrical
connector 330 may be electrically connected to the electrical
conductor 325. In some embodiments, the first electrical connector
330 is one of an electrical pin (a male electrical connector as
shown in FIG. 3) or an electrical receptacle (a female electrical
connector). However, embodiments are not limited to units in which
a separate electrical connector is included at least in part within
a mechanical part, and may include a mechanical part that provides
the electrical connection, including, for example, the snap button
illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0036] In the illustrated example, the second mechanical part 350
of the snap button fastener may include multiple sub-parts are that
installed together to form the second mechanical part, such as, for
example, a first sub-part 360 that forms a surface on one side of
the fabric 355 and extends through a hole in the fabric 355 and
clamps at least part of a second sub-part 365 that forms the socket
portion of the first second mechanical part 350. At least a portion
of the second sub-part 365 provides a spring element to be
displaced when the stud portion of the first mechanical part 302 is
inserted into the socket portion of the second mechanical part 350
and to provide mechanical force to hold the first and second
mechanical parts together under a sufficient force along the axis
is applied to separate the first and second mechanical part. As can
be seen from the cross-section shown in FIG. 3, the second sub-part
365 has at least a portion with an angle such that the receptacle
shape is smaller further away from the fabric than the receptacle
shape is near to the fabric in order to hold the first mechanical
part 302 in place when snapped together.
[0037] In some embodiments, the second mechanical part 350 further
includes an element to provide an electrical connection with the
first mechanical part 302. In some embodiments, the second
mechanical part 350 includes a second electrical connector 380 at
least in part within the socket portion of the second mechanical
part. In an implementation, the second electrical connector is
coupled with a wire to transmit power or signals, such as insulated
wire including an electrical conductor 375 and electrical
insulation 370 to insulate the electrical conductor 375. In some
embodiments, the second electrical connector 380 is one of an
electrical pin (a male electrical connector) or an electrical
receptacle (a female electrical connector, as illustrated in FIG.
3).
[0038] In some embodiments in which a snap button part includes an
electrical connector that is at least in part within a mechanical
part, the electrical connector is centered within the respective
snap button mechanical part to provide ease of electrical
connection when the parts of the snap button are snapped
together.
[0039] While for ease of illustration the embodiments provided in
FIGS. 3-6 include a single electrical connector in each snap button
mechanical part, embodiments are not limited to a single electrical
connector, and may include multiple electrical connectors located
at least in part within a snap button mechanical part.
[0040] FIG. 4 is an illustration of components of a snap button
providing an electrical connection according to an embodiment. As
illustrated in the cross-section of an apparatus 400 in FIG. 4, a
snap button may include a first mechanical part (male part) 402 to
be snapped into a second mechanical part (female part) 450.
[0041] As provided in FIG. 4, the components of the first
mechanical part 402 and the second mechanical part 450 are the same
as illustrated for the first mechanical part 302 and second
mechanical part 350 respectively in FIG. 3, except that the first
electrical connector 430 of the first mechanical part 402 is a
receptacle connector (female connector), and the second electrical
connector 480 of the second mechanical part 450 is a pin connector
(male connector), thus allowing a reversing of connection parts as
required in an implementation. Thus, the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 3 provides a male electrical connector 330 embedded in the
male snap button mechanical part 302 and a female connector 380
embedded in the female snap button mechanical part 350, and the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 provides a female connector 430
embedded in the male snap button mechanical part 402 and a male
electrical connector 480 embedded in the female snap button
mechanical part 450.
[0042] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate certain use cases of the snap
buttons with electrical connectors in wearable electronics
according to an embodiment. In these examples it may be assumed,
for example, that the battery of a sensor array in a clothing item
is to be detached for a certain process (such as before washing or
cleaning the clothing item) and re-attached after the completion of
the process (such as after washing or cleaning the clothing
item).
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the wearable electronics 500 may
include a first clothing portion 505 including two snap button
parts, with a snap button part 530 including a male mechanical part
and male electrical connector 510 and a snap button part 532
including a female mechanical part and a female electrical
connector 515, the snap button parts 530 and 532 being embedded in
fabric 520 and coupled electrically via wires 525 with an active
device such as sensor 531.
[0044] In some embodiments, the wearable electronics 500 in FIG. 5A
may include a second battery pack portion 550 including two snap
button parts, with a snap button part 580 including a female
mechanical part and female electrical connector 515 and a snap
button part 582 including a male mechanical part and a male
electrical connector 510, the snap button parts 580 and 582 being
embedded in fabric 570 and coupled electrically via wires 575 with
a battery 581, a negative terminal of the battery 581 being
electrically coupled with the electrical connector of snap button
part 580 and a positive terminal of the battery 581 being
electrically coupled with the electrical connector of snap button
part 582.
[0045] In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 5A, the active
device (sensor array) 531 is sensitive to the polarity of the
battery 581. By proper selection of "male" and "female" mechanical
parts (on the clothing portion 505 and the battery pack portion
550) an unintentional interchange by a user of the polarity of the
battery can be avoided.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the first clothing portion 505
and second battery pack portion 550 of the wearable electronics 500
are unchanged except that that mechanical parts and electrical
connectors of the snap button parts are each female 515 for the
first portion 505 and are each male 510 for the second portion 550.
In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 5B, the active device
(sensor array) 531 is not sensitive to the polarity of the battery
581, and thus the same type of mechanical parts can be used on the
clothing and the complementary parts can be used on the battery
pack.
[0047] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a particular example including
two snap button parts in each of two portions, but embodiments are
not limited to this example, and each portion may include a greater
number of snap button parts. In some embodiments, each snap button
part of a first portion matches with a respective snap button part
of a second portion. In some embodiments, each matching pair of
snap button parts provides an electrical connection for power
transmission, signal transmission, or both; or a mechanical
connection without an electrical connection.
[0048] In some embodiments, electrical connectors are insulated
against the mechanical parts, which may be helpful especially if
the mechanical parts consist of metals. In other embodiments the
mechanical parts may consist of insulating materials (such as
plastics or other materials), in which case there may be no need
for additional insulation. For example, in an implementation
utilizing plastic mechanical parts the electrical connectors may
simply be embedded by a molding process, applying pressure and
heat.
[0049] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an apparatus including
electrical components that are embedded within fabric according to
an embodiment. In some embodiments, an apparatus 600 may include
the wires, interconnects or contacts for electrical connections
that be embedded directly in the respective fabric. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the apparatus includes a snap
button fastener providing an electrical connection and a wire to
conduct power or signs, the fastener and wire being embedded in a
fabric.
[0050] As illustrated in the cross-section in FIG. 6, a snap button
may include a first mechanical part (male part) 602 to be snapped
into a second mechanical part (female part) 650. The first
mechanical part 602 may be installed in a first portion of fabric
or other material 605.
[0051] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 602 of the
snap button fastener includes multiple sub-parts are that installed
together to form the first mechanical part 602, such as, for
example, a first conductive sub-part 610 that forms a surface on
one side of the fabric 605 and extends through a hole in the fabric
605 and a second insulating sub-part 615 that encloses the portion
of the conductive sub-part 610 that extends through the fabric and
forms the stud shape of the first mechanical part 602. In some
embodiments, the snap connector may further include electrical
insulation 620 on the surface of the conductive sub-part 610 that
is opposite to the stud portion of the mechanical part. As can be
seen from the cross-section of the apparatus 600, the insulating
sub-part 615 has at least a portion with an angle such that the
stud portion is larger further away from the fabric than the stud
portion near to the fabric.
[0052] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 602 further
includes an element to provide an electrical connection with the
second mechanical part 650. In some embodiments, the first
mechanical part 602 includes a first electrical connector 630
located at least in part within the stud portion of the first
mechanical part 602. In some embodiments, the first electrical
connector 630 is electrically coupled with the conductive sub-part
610 of the snap button, and the conductive sub-part 610 is
electrically coupled with a wire 625 for power distribution,
distribution of electrical signals for data transfer, or both,
wherein the wire 625 may be an insulated wire. In some embodiments,
the wire is embedded in the fabric 605. In some embodiments, the
first electrical connector 630, though illustrated in this example
as a male electrical connector, may be either a male or female
electrical connector.
[0053] In some embodiments, the second mechanical part 650 of the
snap button fastener may include multiple sub-parts are that
installed together to form the second mechanical part, such as, for
example, a conductive sub-part 660 that forms a surface on one side
of the fabric 655 and extends through a hole in the fabric 655 and
clamps at least part of an insulating sub-part 665 that forms the
socket portion of the second mechanical part 650. At least a
portion of the insulating sub-part 665 provides a spring element to
be displaced when the stud portion of the first mechanical part 602
is inserted into the socket portion of the second mechanical part
650 and to provide mechanical force to hold the first and second
mechanical parts together until a sufficient force along the axis
is applied to separate the first and second mechanical part. In
some embodiments, the second mechanical part 650 may further
include electrical insulation 670 on a surface of the conductive
sub-part 660 that is opposite to the socket portion of the
mechanical part 650.
[0054] In some embodiments, the second mechanical part 650 further
includes an element to provide an electrical connection with the
first mechanical part 602. In some embodiments, the second
mechanical part 650 includes a second electrical connector 680
located at least in part within the socket portion of the second
mechanical part 650. In an implementation, the second electrical
connector 680 is electrically coupled with the conductive sub-part
660, and the conductive sub-part is electrically coupled with a
wire 675 to transmit power, a signal, or both, where the wire 675
may be an insulated wire. In some embodiments, the second
electrical connector 680 may be either a male or female electrical
connector.
[0055] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an article including electrical
components that are embedded within fabric according to an
embodiment. In some embodiments, an apparatus 700 may include the
wires, interconnects or contacts for electrical connections that be
embedded directly in the respective fabric. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 7, the apparatus includes a conductive snap
button fastener providing an electrical connection and a wire to
transmit power, signals, or both, the fastener and wire being
embedded in a fabric.
[0056] As illustrated in the cross-section of the apparatus 700 in
FIG. 7, a snap button may include a first mechanical part (male
part) 702 to be snapped into a second mechanical part (female part)
750. The first mechanical part 702 may be installed in a first
portion of fabric or other material 705.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part 702 of the
snap button fastener includes multiple sub-parts are that installed
together to form the first mechanical part 702, such as, for
example, a first insulating sub-part 710 that forms a surface on
one side of the fabric 705 and extends through a hole in the fabric
705 and a second conductive sub-part 715 that encloses the portion
of the insulating sub-part 710 that extends through the fabric and
forms the stud shape of the first mechanical part 702. As can be
seen from the cross-section, the conductive sub-part 715 has at
least a portion with a shape such that the stud portion is larger
further away from the fabric than the stud portion near to the
fabric.
[0058] In some embodiments, the conductive sub-part 715 acts as a
male electrical connector. In some embodiments, the conductive
sub-part 715 is electrically coupled with a wire 725 for power
distribution, distribution of electrical signals for data transfer,
or both, wherein the wire 725 may be an insulated wire.
[0059] In some embodiments, the second mechanical part 750 of the
snap button fastener may include multiple sub-parts that are
installed together to form the second mechanical part, such as, for
example, a insulating sub-part 760 that forms a surface on one side
of the fabric 755 and extends through a hole in the fabric 755 and
clamps at least part of an conductive sub-part 765 that forms the
socket portion of the second mechanical part 750. At least a
portion of the conductive sub-part 765 provides a spring element to
be displaced when the stud portion of the first mechanical part 702
is inserted into the socket portion of the second mechanical part
750 and to provide mechanical force to hold the first and second
mechanical parts together until a sufficient force along the axis
is applied to separate the first and second mechanical part.
[0060] In some embodiments, the conductive sub-part 765 acts as a
female electrical connector. In some embodiments, the conductive
sub-part 765 is electrically coupled with a wire 775 for power
distribution, distribution of electrical signals for data transfer,
or both, wherein the wire 775 may be an insulated wire.
[0061] In some embodiments, the fabric 705, 755 is a non-conductive
material, but in other embodiments the fabric may be an inherently
conductive fabrics. Useful fabrics or drapery may include cotton,
denim, linen, silk, synthetics, latex, leather, felt, tarpaulin,
plastic foil, rubber foil, or any combination of different fabrics.
Inherently conductive fabrics may include metal foils, strips of
metal foils or thin metal wires or meshes of thin metal wires
embedded in a non-conductive fabric or laminated between synthetic
or plastic foils. Other conductive fabrics may include conductive
plastic materials or conductive carbon fibers embedded in
non-conductive (such as plastic) materials. In some embodiments,
the material in which snap buttons are installed is not a fabric.
For example, in some instances, thin flexible package substrates
may be used in combination with snap buttons with electrical
functionality.
[0062] It should also be mentioned, that in principle snap buttons
with electrical functionality may be combined with snap buttons
without electrical functionality on the same fabric. In some
embodiments, snap buttons of different size or alternatively
different "gender" may be utilized in order to avoid any
interchange of electrical and purely mechanical snap buttons. In
some embodiments, to avoid any interchange between snap buttons of
different functionality (e.g. electrical signal connectors,
electrical power connectors, or simple mechanical parts) a specific
non-permutable geometric arrangement of the snap buttons may be
implemented in an item, where the snap buttons in the item may
include any combination of electrical signal connectors of either
polarity, electrical power connectors of either polarity, and
mechanical connectors without electrical connection. In one
example, a wearable electronics item may include a first and second
electrical signal connectors that are a first distance apart, a
first and second electrical power connectors that are a second
distance apart, and a first and second mechanical connectors that
are a third distance part, wherein the first, second, and third
distance are different. However, embodiments are not limited to
this implementation, and may include any non-permutable geometric
arrangement of snap buttons.
[0063] In some embodiments, electrically functional snap button
fasteners may be used not only in clothing, garments, and fashion
accessory but also in objects of utility, such as tarpaulin of
tents, tarpaulins to cover any goods against environmental effects,
and other functional operations.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a flowchart to illustrate certain operations of an
electronic device that includes connection with a snap button
according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the electronic
device that includes processing capability may detect an electrical
connection that is closed by mating the first and second parts of a
snap button 800. In some embodiments, the detection of the
electrical connection may be detected in any known way, including
the detection of a signal from the closed electrical connection. In
some embodiments, a device operation may be enabled 802, such as
waking the device from a sleep or other low power state, and
commencing certain device processing 804, such as processing
signals received from a connected sensor.
[0065] In some embodiments, the electronic device may detect an
electrical connection that is lost by the un-mating of the first
and second parts of the snap button 810. In some embodiments, the
detection of the loss of the electrical connection may be detected
in any known way, including the detection of that a signal is no
longer received. In some embodiments, device processing may be
halted 812 and device operation is disabled 814, such as placing
the device in a sleep or other low power state.
[0066] FIG. 9 illustrates a system including connections utilizing
snap buttons fasteners providing electrical connections according
to an embodiment. In this illustration, certain standard and
well-known components that are not germane to the present
description are not shown. Elements shown as separate elements may
be combined, including, for example, an SoC (System on Chip)
combining multiple elements on a single chip.
[0067] In some embodiments, a system 900 may include wearable
electronics, the wearable electronics including a first portion 910
that is a wearable element and a second portion 930 that is an
electronic unit. In some embodiments, the system may optionally
include a third element to operate with the wearable, the third
element being, for example, an external processing unit, such as
mobile device 990, that is connected wirelessly with the wearable
electronics.
[0068] In some embodiments, the first portion 910 may, for example,
include one or more components 915. In some embodiments, components
915 of the first portion 910 are components that either do not
require removal from the first portion 910 or cannot practically be
removed from such portion. In some embodiments, the one or more
components are connected electrically, such as by one or more
wires, with a first part of each of one or more snap buttons, such
as Snap1 920, which is illustrated as a male mechanical part of the
snap button and which includes one of a male or female electrical
connector.
[0069] In some embodiments, the second portion 930 may, for
example, include one or more components. In some embodiments,
components of the second portion 930 are components to be removed
from the wearable electronics for one or more reasons. In this
illustration, the components may include one or more of a wireless
transceiver 940 and antenna 945 (such as dipole or other antenna)
to communicate with other elements (such a mobile device 990); a
battery 950 to provide electrical power; a processor or controller
960 to provide processing or control functions; and one or more
memories to store instructions or data, such as volatile memory
965, such as RAM (random access memory), non-volatile memory 970,
such as flash memory, and read only memory (ROM) 975. The one or
more components are shown as being connected by an interconnect
935, which is representative of one or more buses, wires, and other
connections. In some embodiments, the one or more components are
connected electrically, such as by one or more wires, with a second
part of each of one or more snap buttons, such as Snap2 925, which
is illustrated as a female mechanical part of the snap button and
which includes one of a male or female electrical connector.
[0070] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be
apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments may
be practiced without some of these specific details. In other
instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block
diagram form. There may be intermediate structure between
illustrated components. The components described or illustrated
herein may have additional inputs or outputs that are not
illustrated or described.
[0071] Various embodiments may include various processes. These
processes may be performed by hardware components or may be
embodied in computer program or machine-executable instructions,
which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose
processor or logic circuits programmed with the instructions to
perform the processes. Alternatively, the processes may be
performed by a combination of hardware and software.
[0072] Portions of various embodiments may be provided as a
computer program product, which may include a computer-readable
medium having stored thereon computer program instructions, which
may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) for
execution by one or more processors to perform a process according
to certain embodiments. The computer-readable medium may include,
but is not limited to, magnetic disks, optical disks, compact disk
read-only memory (CD-ROM), and magneto-optical disks, read-only
memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), electrically-erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM), magnet or optical cards, flash memory,
or other type of computer-readable medium suitable for storing
electronic instructions. Moreover, embodiments may also be
downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may
be transferred from a remote computer to a requesting computer.
[0073] Many of the methods are described in their most basic form,
but processes can be added to or deleted from any of the methods
and information can be added or subtracted from any of the
described messages without departing from the basic scope of the
present embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that many further modifications and adaptations can be made.
The particular embodiments are not provided to limit the concept
but to illustrate it. The scope of the embodiments is not to be
determined by the specific examples provided above but only by the
claims below.
[0074] If it is said that an element "A" is coupled to or with
element "B," element A may be directly coupled to element B or be
indirectly coupled through, for example, element C. When the
specification or claims state that a component, feature, structure,
process, or characteristic A "causes" a component, feature,
structure, process, or characteristic B, it means that "A" is at
least a partial cause of "B" but that there may also be at least
one other component, feature, structure, process, or characteristic
that assists in causing "B." If the specification indicates that a
component, feature, structure, process, or characteristic "may",
"might", or "could" be included, that particular component,
feature, structure, process, or characteristic is not required to
be included. If the specification or claim refers to "a" or "an"
element, this does not mean there is only one of the described
elements.
[0075] An embodiment is an implementation or example. Reference in
the specification to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some
embodiments," or "other embodiments" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not
necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of "an
embodiment," "one embodiment," or "some embodiments" are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. It should be
appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary
embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a
single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose
of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of
one or more of the various novel aspects. This method of
disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that the claimed embodiments requires more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, novel aspects lie in less than all features of a
single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims are hereby
expressly incorporated into this description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
[0076] In some embodiments, a fastener includes: a first mechanical
part, the first mechanical part including at least a stud portion,
the first mechanical part including a first electrical connector; a
second mechanical part, the second mechanical part including at
least a socket portion with a spring element and the socket
portion, the second mechanical part including a second electrical
connector. The stud portion of the first mechanical part and the
socket portion of second mechanical part, if separated, are to
interlock upon the application of a first force towards each other,
and, if interlocked, are to separate upon the application of a
second force away from each other. The first electrical connector
and the second electrical connector are to be electrically
connected when the first mechanical part and the second mechanical
part are interlocked, and wherein first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector are to be disconnected when the
first mechanical part and the second mechanical part are
separated.
[0077] In some embodiments, the fastener is a snap button
fastener.
[0078] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector is to be
coupled with a first conductor and the second electrical connector
is to be coupled with a second conductor.
[0079] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector is
located at least in part within the stud portion of the first
mechanical part and the second electrical connector is located at
least in part within the socket portion of the second mechanical
part.
[0080] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector is
either of a male electrical connector or a female electrical
connector, and wherein the second electrical connector is the other
of a male electrical connector or a female electrical
connector.
[0081] In some embodiments, each of the first mechanical part and
the second mechanical part includes multiple sub-parts.
[0082] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part is to operate
as the first electrical connector and the second mechanical part is
to operate as the second electrical connector.
[0083] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part includes an
insulating sub-part and a conductive sub-part. In some embodiments,
the first mechanical part includes a stud portion, an outside of
the stud portion including at least a part of the conductive
sub-part. In some embodiments, the first mechanical part includes a
socket portion, the socket portion including at least a part of the
conductive sub-part.
[0084] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector and
second electrical connector are to provide for the transmission of
power, electrical signals, or both when electrically connected.
[0085] In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a first
material; and a first snap button fastener part embedded in the
first material, the first snap button fastener including: a first
mechanical part to removably interlock with a second mechanical
part, and a first electrical connector to provide an electrical
connection with a second electrical connector when the first
mechanical part is interlocked with the second mechanical part.
[0086] In some embodiments, an apparatus further includes a first
electrical conductor, a first end of the first electrical conductor
being electrically coupled with the first electrical connector, and
a first electronic element, a second end of the first electrical
conductor being electrically coupled with the first electronic
component.
[0087] In some embodiments, first electrical connector is located
at least in part within a stud portion or socket portion of the
first mechanical part.
[0088] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part is to operate
as the first electrical connector, the mechanical part including a
conductive sub-part that is at least a part of the electrical
connector.
[0089] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector is to
provide for the transmission of power, electrical signals, or both
when electrically connected with the second electrical
connector.
[0090] In some embodiments, a wearable electronics item includes: a
first portion including a first fabric, and one or more snap button
fastener parts embedded in the first fabric, a first snap button
fastener part including a first mechanical part and a first
electrical connector; a second portion including a second fabric,
and one or more snap button fastener parts embedded in the second
material, a second snap button fastener part including a second
mechanical part to removably interlock with the first mechanical
part and a second electrical connector to provide an electrical
connection with the first electrical connector upon the first
mechanical part being interlocked with the second mechanical part,
the electrical connection being broken upon the first mechanical
part being separated from the second mechanical part.
[0091] In some embodiments, the first portion further includes: a
first electrical conductor, a first end of the first electrical
conductor being electrically coupled with the first electrical
connector, and a first electronic element, a second end of the
first electrical conductor being electrically coupled with the
first electronic component.
[0092] In some embodiments, the first portion further includes a
third snap button fastener part including a third mechanical part
and a third electrical connector; and the second portion further
includes a fourth snap button fastener part including a fourth
mechanical part to removably interlock with the third mechanical
part and a fourth electrical connector to provide an electrical
connection with the third electrical connector upon the first
mechanical part being interlocked with the second mechanical part,
the electrical connection being broken upon the third mechanical
part being separated from the fourth mechanical part.
[0093] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part includes
either a male or female connector and the second mechanical part
includes the other of a male or female connector. In some
embodiments, the first mechanical part includes either a male or
female connector and the second mechanical part includes the same
of a male or female connector.
[0094] In some embodiments, the first and second snap button
fastener parts are a different size than the third and fourth snap
button fastener parts.
[0095] In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first set
of multiple snap button fastener parts and the second portion
includes a second set of multiple snap button fastener parts, each
snap button fastener part of the first portion matching with a
respective snap button faster part of the second portion.
[0096] In some embodiments, each matching pair of snap button
fastener parts is to provide one of the following functionalities:
an electrical connection for power transmission, signal
transmission, or both; or a mechanical connection without an
electrical connection.
[0097] In some embodiments, the first set of snap button fastener
parts and the second set of snap button fastener parts are in a
certain non-permutable geometric arrangement to prevent interchange
between snap buttons of different functionality.
[0098] In some embodiments, the non-permutable geometric
arrangement includes a first distance between snap button fastener
parts of a first functionality and a second different distance
between snap button fastener parts of a second functionality.
[0099] In some embodiments, the first electrical connector is
located at least in part within a stud portion of the first
mechanical part and the second electrical connector is located at
least in part within a socket portion of the second mechanical
part.
[0100] In some embodiments, each of the first mechanical part and
the second mechanical part includes a plurality of sub-parts.
[0101] In some embodiments, the first mechanical part is to operate
as the first electrical connector and the second mechanical part is
to operate as the second electrical connector. In some embodiments,
each of the first mechanical part and the second mechanical part
includes an insulating sub-part and a conductive sub-part. In some
embodiments, the first mechanical connector includes a stud
portion, an outside of the stud portion including at least a part
of the conductive sub-part. In some embodiments, the first
mechanical connector includes a socket portion, the socket portion
including at least a part of the conductive sub-part.
* * * * *